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Buffalo Trace. Julie Last updated: December 16, 2022 United States 13 Comments. Buffalo Trace has a long and fascinating history. We both acquired a taste for bourbon on our long weekend in Kentucky. The tour includes a walk through their cooperage, where you get to see how the barrels are made. The distilleries of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail are deeply rooted in history, many beginning operations in the 18th or 19th centuries that are still operated by the same families generations later. All rights reserved. Over in Lebanon, hit up the Limestone Branch Distillery, which seeks to make everything as authentic as possible, and as a family-owned and operated craft distillery, their local heritage goes back a few generations. If you have plans to tour the Kentucky Bourbon Trail between July and early November, make your reservations in advance. As for tours, it looks like distilleries are still offering tours and tastings, but I would get the full details for each distillery on their website (we have a link for each distillery in this post). We opted to take the 30 minute Unlocking the Senses tasting, where we sampled four Bulleit whiskeys. When the printout is completed then you can save it as PDF. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a collection of eighteen bourbon distilleries located in and around Louisville. It depends on the time of year that you are visiting, and whether or not you been touring over the weekend. Inside of the memorial is a symbolic log cabin, a historic replica of the one that Abraham Lincoln first lived in. Also, the visitors center offers lots of history, facts and figures. Plus, there is a high concentration of distilleries located right in town, not to mention lots of great restaurants and hotels to choose from. They give a really thorough background on the drink and Louisville's history with it (and yes, it ends with a tasting). The original distillery opened on Derby Day in the 1930s, and it recently reopened for tours. Is there a fee to visit the distilleries? We visited both but prefer the American Stillhouse. And you definitely should try the Bourbon Cream. Again, thanks for the great article! My husband has been thinking about taking me to one for out anniversary. Make sure you do this Tuesday through Saturday before 5 pm, when the cooperage and the bottling line are in operation. Hours vary by day of the week, with more tour times on Fridays and Saturdays. Green River is the outlier, located almost two hours west of Louisville, in a small town named Owensboro. Download the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Distillery Map Download Now Join Our Newsletter Mailing List Fields marked with an * are required First Name * Last Name * Email * If you are a human seeing this field, please leave it empty. On this tour, you visit micro-distilleries and this takes an additional week to visit all of these distilleries. Spend the next day slowly heading out of Louisville to visit a few distilleries on the citys outskirts, and then use Lexington as a homebase for the next couple of days. Since it is located off of the Bourbon Trail and does not have the actual log cabin that Abraham Lincoln was born in, this is only worth it if you have an interest in American history or Abraham Lincoln. Cheers, Julie. Select the size of the map before it is time to print it. And for full details on Bluebird Cafe, read our article How to Visit Bluebird Cafe. USA TRAVEL INSPIRATION: For more great ideas on where to go in the United States, check out our article Best USA Road Trips, which has 18 sample itineraries for your next big adventure. This is a great bit of Texas BBQ in the heart of Kentucky. In 2016, we were able to show up and do a lot of tastings. Download the TN Whiskey Trail brochure in PDF format. This is a beautiful property with a lot of tour and tasting options. For the most part, the distilleries are located in and around Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown. On day two, visit the distilleries located south of Louisville: Makers Mark, Jim Beam, Heaven Hill, Bardstown Bourbon, and Lux Row. In 2008, it was Historic Hotels of Americas top pick. But there is more to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail than just distillery tours and bourbon tastings. Cheers, Julie, We are thinking about making this trip in an RV in early November.. are there nice places to stay and how does the pandemic affect things, Hello Jan. As far as to where to stay with your RV, I am not sure, since we had a car and stayed in hotels. If you are only planning a quick visit to Kentucky (3 to 4 days tops), I recommend choosing one place and making this your home base. Its hot, its crowded, and during the summer months, most distilleries take a break from distilling, anywhere from a week or two or longer. Old Forester offers a tour with the president of the company (a few times per year). If you dont want to take a cocktail class, Bardstown Bourbon also offers a one hour tour that starts with a tasting and ends with tasting straight out of the bourbon barrel. Here are four highly rated hotels in Louisville. You can also take a tour where you bottle the single barrel whiskey, but spaces are limited and the tour is expensive (but you do end up with a cool souvenir to take home!). Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. If you are short on time, or have no desire to visit all eighteen distilleries, here is a short list of the top experiences to have on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Next, hit up Wild Turkey Distillery, which has been crafting Kentucky bourbon since 1869. Once you get to Shepherdsville, visit the Jim Beam Distillery. This is a great place to visit to counterbalance the bigger distilleries along the Bourbon Trail. Today, bourbons popularity is at an all-time high, and in the past 20 years or so, many new distilleries have popped up among old favorites. The distilling of bourbon began in Kentucky in the 1700s in Bourbon County. You'll avoid most crowds, enjoy off-season hotel prices, and the scenery along Kentucky's rural roads is unsurpassed in autumn. For more information, visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail website. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. This budget hotel gets good reviews and is conveniently located in Bardstown. This is an ultrasonic process that removes impurities and improves the quality and taste, speeding up the refining process without spending years in the barrel. This is Louisvilles landmark hotel. For more information on these tours and experience, read our article, More Information for Your Trip to Kentucky. The repurposed stone castle and the rest of the historical property are breathtaking, and the distillerys chic branding (with plenty of merchandise to take home from the gift shop) adds to the overall charm of the location. The distilleries are grouped together in four general areas. It is said to be the oldest western stagecoach stop in America and legend has it that Jesse James left behind bullet holes in the tavern. and cannot participate in the Passport program. Each of these bourbon distilleries must be a member of the Kentucky Distillers Association, which requires paying a fee. Plan to spend at least 2-3 days traveling along the Bourbon Trail, and stop off at some of the many charming Kentucky towns along the route. Pick your favorites and group them together to form your itinerary, whether you have 2, 3, or more days. HISTORIC: Talbott Tavern and Inn. If you are looking for a highly rated hotel and dont want to spend a lot of money, this is a great option. Some distilleries are closed Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. Bourbon can be brewed anywhere in the United States, although 95% of bourbon is currently distilled in Kentucky. For information on how to plan your visit, dont miss ourKentucky Bourbon Trail Itinerary. There are five rules that distinguish bourbon from all other whiskeys. They have a few iconic bourbon brands that are produced here: Buffalo Trace, Blanton's (with the little horse on top of the round bottle), and Eagle Rare. For lunch and/or dinner, we recommend Kitchen& Bar, the restaurant at Bardstown Bourbon. If you like the idea of getting out of Louisville for the day, I recommend day #1 plus day #4 (the Best of Bardstown) or day #5 (Makers Mark and the Kentucky Cooperage). The Old Talbott Tavern, located in Bardstown, is also a great pick. Some distilleries are closed on Mondays. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Ride sharing services are abundant in the area, and there are many guided tour options as well. Angels Envy offers several different tours. Tours last one hour and end with a tasting. The Major Kentucky Distilleries and the Bourbon Brands They Produce, Mapped. Each distillery has a gift shop selling bourbon and related souvenirs. They also offer seasonal classes and tours, so make sure you check their website to see what they are offering during your visit. If you pay extra, we can also produce these maps in specialist file formats. Distilling Company Tennessee | DISCUS, Hand Sanitizer 802 Royal Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38107 Beechtree Distillery There are eighteen distilleries on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. When you're ready for a hearty meal, there's super delicious BBQ right off I-75 at Red State BBQ. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Buffalo Trace is the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. Plus, its easy to find. Travel back in timeto 1783, to the very early days ofLouisville, where you will learn about the early history of bourbon and this area of Kentucky. In the Bourbon District, you're never more than 5 minutes away from the next attraction, so planning that group tour or birthday celebration just got a lot easier. Children are allowed on the tours and generally pay a reduced tour fee or can tour for free, depending on the distillery. To get to Evan Williams and/or to get back to your hotel, consider driving or using Uber (we used Uber while in Louisville and kept our car parked at our hotel). During this one-hour class, we mixed two cocktails: the Kentucky Mule and the Sazerac. All standard one-hour tours are roughly the samea tour of the facility ending with a tasting. It is open daily except for major holidays. One of the highlights of this tour, other than the tasting, was standing inside of their rickhouse. How can I safe it to find once again? Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detoursfrom roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond. Alternatively, and on a more direct route into Lexington, you can head to Bulleit Distilling Co.'s new state-of-the-art facility in Shelbyville. With so many great distilleries spread across the rolling hills of Kentucky, planning a trip on the Bourbon Trail can feel a bit overwhelming. Bardstown Bourbon. It smells wonderful and it kind of made me hungry! You can still tour the distillery, but you might not get to see the fermentation and distilling process. Cameron is a freelance writer and editor working in travel publishing for the past 10 years. Be sure to click the map to visit www.kybourbontrail.com to plan your trips and get detailed directions to all of the distilleries along the Bourbon Trail! Visit the distillerys website for up-to-date pricing. Visiting the winding trail of bourbon distilleries here (now officially called the Kentucky Bourbon Trail) has become a main draw to the area, and a whole tourism industry itself. Optional Detour: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace. Map of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Below is a map of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Dont miss out on the beautiful horse farms in the Lexington area! Bourbon is booming right now and so is tourism in Kentucky. If time allows, consider the areas other great export: thoroughbred horses. Starting off in Louisville, visit the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. Louisville and the rest of the bourbon trail are located in the Eastern Time Zone. Also known as the Independent Stave Company, this is where the barrels are constructed for many of the bourbon distilleries in Kentucky. Four Roses distillery was built in 1910 and features Spanish Mission-Style architecture, a rarity in Kentucky. There is even an art museum located inside of the hotel. How far in advance would you recommend booking tours, or are walk-ins generally accepted at most of the distilleries? These include Willett, Pogue, Boone County, Neeley Family Distillery, Kentucky Peerless, Kentucky Artisan and many others. A memorial now stands at his birthplace. Check the Churchill Downs website for the race schedule before you go. Woodford Reserve has a historic, upscale feel to it. It has a relatively central location, so its easy to get to Bardstown, Lexington, and even Owensboro. All three of these cities have great hotel and restaurant options with easy access to the Bourbon Trail. Our website uses cookies. Be prepared for an experience for all five senses. Note: This post contains affiliate links. While you are in the area, consider a visit to the Kentucky Cooperage, where the barrels are made for the storing and aging of bourbon. Enjoy the nightlife in Louisville, drive through scenic bluegrass Kentucky, watch a horse race at Churchill Downs, visit the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, or spend the night in a historic tavern. Nothing can be added to the whiskey other than water. Please enjoy like a true Kentuckian Responsibly. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Twenty minutes northwest of Woodford Reserve, youll find Buffalo Trace Distillery; 25 minutes southwest is Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, home to the Four Roses and Wild Turkey distilleries. It's located next to a field full of giant rickhouses, which is what the building where barrels of bourbon age are called. A visit to Buffalo Trace is definitely worthwhile when you are in the area, even if it is not officially on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. This is more than just a hotel, it is also an art museum. You could easily spend an hour or two here, sampling their beers and boozes and chatting with the owners. Whether you're a bourbon snob, or you just like drinking, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a must-visit. Santa Claus is a small town filled with Christmas-themed hotels, shops, restaurants, and even an amusement park. It's the same for maps that are large: they can take up nearly 50% of the screen. We recommend staying in Louisville. After that, check out the Maker's Mark Distillery. Plan to spend at least 2-3 days traveling along the Bourbon Trail, and stop off at some of the many charming Kentucky towns along the route. Dive deeper into the history behind bourbon distilling. Louisville is the most logical choice, with its relatively central location, abundance of hotels and restaurants, and easy access to the airport. Touring the Bourbon Trail gives visitors an up-close look at how bourbon is distilled, the history behind the crafting of bourbon, and the art behind the perfect bourbon tasting. Click OK to confirm. They specialize in bourbon barrel-aged brews as well as bourbons, and since it's a smaller operation than other stops on this trip, the tour is a totally difference experience. Foaling begins in late January and will continue through May, so visit in the spring if you want to meet the youngest future racehorses! Woodford Reserve. You will also notice that on some days I have included more than just distillery tours. To read about our favorite bourbon distillery, read this post. #1 Louisville: Intro to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, #3 Green River and Stitzel-Weller Distillery, #5 Makers Mark, Jim Beam, & the Kentucky Cooperage, #6 Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, Four Roses & Wilderness Trail, #7 Bulleit, Buffalo Trace, and Town Branch. If you want to tour all eighteen distilleries, you need a minimum of seven days. This was our all-around best tour experience. It's a National Historic Landmark, but it's also gorgeously maintained, and set in a dreamlike corner of the Bourbon Trail. A memorial now stands at his birthplace. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 2 Days: Follow days #1 and #2. You can also spend a few days in Nashville or visit nearby New River Gorge National Park. If you want to do some non-Bourbon activities while road tripping around Kentucky, here are some ideas for you. This takes the headache out of planning a day of distillery tours, perfect for some people. The worst time to visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, according to the guides that we spoke to, is during the summer months. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Lexington Brewing Company offers a wide variety of tours as well as a mixology class. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. You will drive through scenic bluegrass Kentucky, with horse farms as far as the eye can see. 3125 US-231 North, Shelbyville, Tennessee 37160 Featured Old Dominick Distillery Tennessee | Tennessee Whiskey Trail, Hand Sanitizer | Bourbon, Gin, Vodka, Tennessee Whiskey 305 S Front Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103 B.R. It's no secret that all American states can legally produce bourbon, but Kentucky is the spirit's undisputed . The mash always looks the same but the horse farms have different aspects to showcase at different times of the year. Located in Lexington, this bourbon distillery also produces beer. Trust me!!! The red markers are the seventeen distilleries on the trail. Woodford Reserve (a seven-minute drive from Castle & Key) has its own restaurant and is a great mid-day stop for lunch and a tour of its beautiful grounds. In this post, we cover everything you need to know to have the best experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Tour the distillery, see the hundreds of barrels inside of the rickhouses, and maybe meet legendary Jimmy Russell while you are here. You can take a tour and get a stamp in your passport at either location. Most tours teach you the same process about bourbon distilling, with a few differences at each distillery. It can be chilly, but most of the time we were indoors, so weather wasnt much of a factor. Make sure you check the hours of the distilleries you want to visit before your trip. Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Bourbon Trail and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour are trademarks of the Kentucky Distillers Association. Similar to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the Craft Tour takes bourbon touring and tasting to the next level. It does require more ink than printing text. It is said to be the oldest western stagecoach stop in America and legend has it that Jesse James left behind bullet holes in the tavern. Your email address will not be published. The weather is pleasant and bourbon is in full production. Follow day #4 and #5, sleeping in either Bardstown or Louisville. Cheers, Julie. Tours typically run every hour, and its usually best to reserve online ahead of time. For information on how to plan your visit, dont miss our Guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. My father, who is a Bourbon man, will be celebrating his birthday next month and I thought of taking him on a Bourbon tour. Coalition Whiskey. The tastings do get spread out over the day, but they are also right before you hop in the car to get to the next distillery, so know your limits. Next, work off that bourbon tasting with a quick visit to the Louisville Slugger Museum, to see where professional baseball bats are made. If you want to stay in a historical, luxurious hotel in Louisville, your hotel search can end right here. The blue markers are restaurant recommendations, Buffalo Trace Distillery, and other notable experiences to add into your Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. In order to see all four, you should be at the first distillery at opening time. Definitely book tours at your must-see distilleries in advance, regardless of the time of year, and if you plan to do a special tour, such as a cocktail class or behind the scenes tour. UPSCALE: 21c Museum Hotel. Get suggestions on how to plan your trip, whether you just have a few days, a long weekend, or an entire week. Just look for the giant, golden David statue out front and you know that you are in the right place. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Sleep in Louisville. But map makers don't want to let that stop them from building trails. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Unfortunately, we do not have a PDF of this article. This grain mixture is referred to as the mash bill. The weather is nice and all of the distilleries should be in operation. BUDGET: Glo Best Western Lexington. Old Forester Discovery Tour. Do you need a reservation? A Few Facts about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Summer and autumn are busy months to visit the Bourbon Trail, so I also recommend booking your tours in advance at these times, even on weekdays. The 1 hour Discovery Tour ends with a tasting at their bar on the second floor. It smells like you are at a bakery, only they are baking slightly sour bread. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road! Visit the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail website here. This is the busiest time on the trail and tours can sell out. Copyright 2023 Kentucky Distillers Association. We saw their vans everywhere! We are looking for a private driver for 2 days. The best time of year for a road trip down the Bourbon Trail: Summer is high season along the trail, so you'll have more crowds to contend with, and hotels will be slightly more expensive. Our favorite experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail was the cocktail class at Bardstown Bourbon. We started at Wild Turkey and were the only ones on their 9 am tour. Surprisingly, it is not part of the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. For most people, a combination of tours and tastings is the perfect way to sample the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. However, the spirits are further refined with their patented TerrePURE process. In this article, learn how to plan your Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary, with suggestions on where to stay and what else to add in as you tour the trail. A beautiful time of year, however, is mid-September to late-October. Sleep in Louisville. After touring Old Forester, its a short walk to Angels Envy. Printing a map gives you an image that can be used to guide your instructions. These regions are broken out by geographic location. Dinner: Proof on Main. Wilderness Trail is the newest member on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. In fact, if you visit every. Free Printable US Map With States Labeled, Washington State Map With Cities and Counties. Many of these distilleries are historic and their story is fascinating. To take a tour at all eighteen distilleries you will need a minimum of five days, but six to seven days is ideal. During the tour, which usually lasts about one hour, your guide leads you through the property, teaching you about the distillation process and the history of the distillery. Their signature tour is a one-hour tour of the distillery. Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey and Four Roses are clustered together near Lexington. Optional Detour: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace. Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 7 Days: This is our day by day itinerary listed above, in the same order, with suggestions on where to stay. There are many more distilleries you can visit in Kentucky that are not part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. You take a tour, learn about the art and science behind the distilling of bourbon, and end with a tasting. Cheers, Julie. We chose the self-driving option. Theres something here for everyone. This is the best historical lesson about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and a great place to get an overview of how bourbon came to be. Learn how to create your own. The barrel making process is a key element in bourbon distilling, and this is the best place to learn all about it, since many distilleries get their barrels here. Each of these bourbon distilleries must be a member of the Kentucky Distillers Association, which requires paying a fee. And many distilleries offer longer, behind the scenes tours for a more detailed look at the distilling process. Located in Bardstown, the Old Talbott Tavern dates back to the 1700s. Cheers, Julie. The historic grounds are beautiful to visit, the history behind Makers Mark is intriguing, and at the end of the tour you get to hand dip a bottle in red wax. Many places offer tastings without a tour. This day includes the remaining distilleries in Louisville with the option to add on one or two museums. Is May a good month to do the Bourbon Trail? Renting a car gives you the most freedom to explore, but it's not necessary. If you want to stay in a historical, luxurious hotel in Louisville, your hotel search can end right here. For more great things to do in Louisville, read our post 12 Best Things to do in Louisville. Your email address will not be published. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a collection of bourbon whiskey distilleries located in Kentucky. Then head to The Woodford Reserve Distillery. This cocktail class is only offered once a day, so if you like this idea, plan your other distillery visits around this class. Buffalo Trace, located in Frankfort, is one of the most famous bourbon distilleries in Kentucky. To get here, drive or use Uber. Visit Your Favorite Distillery. The top things to do on an Extraterrestrial Highway road trip, The top things to do on a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip, The top things to do on an I-40 road trip, The Great Northern is a 3,600 mile, cross-country odyssey, A road trip along New York state's Women's Heritage Trail, 9 stops on a Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail road trip, A cross-country road trip to U.S. presidential libraries, A road trip to filming locations featured in 'The Goonies', Pay Tribute and Reflect at These US Monuments and Memorials. For pricing for each distillery, take a look at our best distilleries post. Sleep in Louisville. Located just outside of Lexington, stay in a suite or one-bedroom apartment, perfect if you like having extra space or a kitchenette. And we highly recommend lunch at the Old Talbott Tavern in Bardstown. After breakfast at the hotel, its a 30-minute drive to the Frankfort area, where touring the new distillery at Castle & Key is a true gem. Whether you have two days or a week, there is plenty here to keep you busy. The distilling process at Green River is very innovative and a visit here is worthwhile if you want to learn about a unique way to distill bourbon. Also, remember that the quality of maps is unbeatable! Jim Beam has two locations on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail: the American Stillhouse, which is located in Clermont, and the Urban Stillhouse, which is located in downtown Louisville. A combination of ideal weather, limestone water sources, and a long history of the craft make Central Kentucky the bourbon capital of the world. KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL: Pick out which distilleries to visit in our article Best Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Are children allowed on the tours? While you are in the area, consider a tour at Buffalo Trace, adding on a visit to Bulleit in Shelbyville, or lunch or dinner in Lexington. Just look for the giant, golden David statue out front and you know that you are in the right place. Morning: Rabbit Hole. You can search by name, state, spirit, amenity or simply click on the map to discover distilleries you never knew existed! LUXURY: The Brown Hotel. If you need a break from bourbon, a fine margarita at Corto Lima, or craft cocktail at West Main Crafting Co., will do the trick. They have a good beer selection, excellent pulled pork, tasty baked beans and a variety of BBQ sauces. For weekends, I would recommend scheduling your tours in advance, any time of the year. For most people, a mix of tours and tastings is the best way to experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. If you are doing this over a long weekend, plan on spending one day in each area. There are six distilleries in Louisville (seven if you count the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse), five located in and around Lexington, one in Danville, five in and around Bardstown, and one in Owensboro. During this time, most tours will be full and many will sell out in advance. How you do it is completely up to you. MAMMOTH CAVE: Mammoth Cave is a national park in Kentucky and it makes a great day trip from Louisville and Nashville. Morning: Makers Mark. In order to ensure that you benefit from our products we invite you to contact us for more information. This ultra-modern distillery is located in Nulu (New Louisville). As you drive back to Louisville, you have the option to stop at the Lincoln Boyhood Home and National Museum and/or Santa Claus, Indiana. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations? Then it's on to Heaven Hill Bourbon, which offers a cheaper "mini-tour" if you're getting tired of hearing the same thing over and over again at every distillery. There is a lot of history here. The best time of year for a road trip down the Bourbon Trail: Summer is high season along the trail, so you'll have more crowds to contend with, and hotels will be slightly more expensive.